Emilio Sakraya
Biography
Emilio Sakraya Moutaoukkil, widely known as Emilio (born June 29, 1996), is a German actor, singer, and martial artist. Born in Berlin to a Moroccan mother, Meryem, and a Serbian father, he grew up in the city's vibrant multicultural environment. Emilio has several half-siblings, including actor Ilyes Raoul.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
As a child, Emilio spent summers in Morocco and attended the Annie Heuser Waldorf School in Berlin. He discovered his passion for performance early, appearing in the commercial Tell Children at age nine. In 2010, he made his cinematic debut in Zeiten ändern dich, directed by Bernd Eichinger.
Aside from acting, Emilio developed a strong interest in martial arts, excelling in karate and kung-fu. In 2010, he won a German karate championship under the World Kickboxing Association (WKA). Simultaneously, he began exploring music, learning piano, guitar, and drums, and by his teenage years, he was writing his songs.
Music Career
Emilio released his debut single Down by the Lake in May 2016. Soon after, he adopted "Emilio" as his stage name, choosing not to use his surname publicly. His debut album, Roter Sand, was released in September 2020 under Jive Records, marking his rise in Germany's music scene.
Acting Highlights
Television and Film Roles:
- In 2017, Emilio gained attention for his role in the Tatort Saarland episode Sons and Fathers.
- He starred in the comedy Kalte Füße (2018) alongside Heiner Lauterbach and Sonja Gerhardt, followed by another Tatort appearance in The Missing Child.
- Emilio played a leading role as JC in Netflix’s international series Warrior Nun (2019).
- In 2021, he joined Philip Koch's Netflix series Tribes of Europa as one of the main characters, expanding his international recognition.
Recent Successes:
- He portrayed gangsta rapper Xatar in Fatih Akin's 2022 film Rheingold, earning critical acclaim.
- In 2024, Emilio participated in popular German TV shows Schlag den Star and Sing meinen Song – Das Tauschkonzert, showcasing his multifaceted talents.
Achievements and Recognition
Emilio was nominated for the Studio Hamburg Nachwuchspreis for his performances and was named a European Shooting Star by the European Film Promotion (EFP) in 2022.
Personal Life
Emilio is the father of a son and continues to excel in both his acting and music careers. His diverse talents and cultural heritage make him one of Germany's rising stars in the entertainment industry.
